King James Version

What Does 2 Samuel 14:7 Mean?

2 Samuel 14:7 in the King James Version says “And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that w... — study this verse from 2 Samuel chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. upon: Heb. upon the face of the earth

2 Samuel 14:7 · KJV


Context

5

And the king said unto her, What aileth thee? And she answered, I am indeed a widow woman, and mine husband is dead.

6

And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him. none: Heb. no deliverer between them

7

And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth. upon: Heb. upon the face of the earth

8

And the king said unto the woman, Go to thine house, and I will give charge concerning thee.

9

And the woman of Tekoah said unto the king, My lord, O king, the iniquity be on me, and on my father's house: and the king and his throne be guiltless.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And, behold, the whole family is risen against thine handmaid, and they said, Deliver him that smote his brother, that we may kill him, for the life of his brother whom he slew; and we will destroy the heir also: and so they shall quench my coal which is left, and shall not leave to my husband neither name nor remainder upon the earth.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Absalom's Return, emphasizing incomplete reconciliation. Joab's elaborate scheme to restore Absalom demonstrates human wisdom that undermines divine purposes. The partial reconciliation (Absalom returns but doesn't see David's face) proves insufficient for genuine restoration. Theological themes include the inadequacy of human reconciliation methods apart from genuine repentance, the danger of manipulation even for apparently good ends, and the necessity of complete rather than partial restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The historical setting of 2 Samuel 14 occurs during David's reign (circa 1010-970 BCE) over Israel's united monarchy. Archaeological discoveries, including the Tel Dan inscription mentioning the 'House of David,' corroborate biblical historicity. Ancient Near Eastern customs regarding incomplete reconciliation provide crucial background. The geopolitical situation involved regional powers—Philistines, Ammonites, Arameans, Moabites, Edomites—as David consolidated and expanded Israel's territory. Cultural practices concerning kingship, warfare, covenant relationships, family dynamics, and religious observance differed significantly from modern Western contexts, requiring careful attention to avoid anachronistic interpretation while extracting timeless theological principles applicable across cultures and eras.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage deepen your understanding of incomplete reconciliation?
  2. What does this verse reveal about God's character, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?
  3. In what specific ways can you apply this truth to your current circumstances and relationships this week?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 33 words
וְהִנֵּה֩1 of 33
H2009

lo!

קָ֨מָה2 of 33

is risen

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

כָֽל3 of 33
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַמִּשְׁפָּחָ֜ה4 of 33

And behold the whole family

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

עַל5 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

שִׁפְחָתֶ֗ךָ6 of 33

against thine handmaid

H8198

a female slave (as a member of the household)

וַיֹּֽאמְרוּ֙7 of 33

and they said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

תְּנִ֣י׀8 of 33

Deliver

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת9 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַכֵּ֣ה10 of 33

him that smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אָחִיו֙11 of 33

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

וּנְמִתֵ֙הוּ֙12 of 33

that we may kill

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

בְּנֶ֤פֶשׁ13 of 33

him for the life

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אָחִיו֙14 of 33

his brother

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָרָ֔ג16 of 33

whom he slew

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וְנַשְׁמִ֖ידָה17 of 33

and we will destroy

H8045

to desolate

גַּ֣ם18 of 33
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אֶת19 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיּוֹרֵ֑שׁ20 of 33

the heir

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

וְכִבּ֗וּ21 of 33

also and so they shall quench

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)

אֶת22 of 33
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גַּֽחַלְתִּי֙23 of 33

my coal

H1513

an ember

אֲשֶׁ֣ר24 of 33
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נִשְׁאָ֔רָה25 of 33

and shall not leave

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

לְבִלְתִּ֧י26 of 33
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

שִׂום27 of 33

which is left

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְאִישִׁ֛י28 of 33

to my husband

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שֵׁ֥ם29 of 33

neither name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

וּשְׁאֵרִ֖ית30 of 33

nor remainder

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

עַל31 of 33
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֥י32 of 33

upon

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הָֽאֲדָמָֽה׃33 of 33

the earth

H127

soil (from its general redness)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Samuel 14:7 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Samuel 14:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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